Step 4: Padding

Step 5: Finished Product

They're still a little blurry, and the one in the box seems extra blurry becuase the lid to the box is more translucent than transparent.

NOW WITH BETTER PICTURES!!!! YAY!!! WOOHHOO!! YIPEEE!(they're still not great, but I need a better camera, and/or more lighting)

Don't forget to vote! Yay!!

In a truly sad, and yet somehow hilarious, misadventure my boss lost the top portion of his thumb to the hungry jaws of a steel-framed glass door. You would be right to feel bad for this unfortunate occurrence, but do bear in mind that he has an extensive collection of photos that begin shortly after the incident all the way up stitching and wrapping, as well as many, many "after" pics.

If you have seen any of my other instructables, you are probably well aware that I like pirates. A simple fact, yet a true one.

Anyway, upon loss of digit the first idea I had was to create a thumb-sized hook prosthetic. Probably not as useful a a hook hand, the hook thumb was a huge hit among the Dr.'s where my boss was getting his new nub checked out.

Step 2: Basic structure

I started by wrapping a scrap of leather around my own thumb, keeping even just about at the first knuckle. I knew that I wanted it to go lower than that, but i have a whole thumb and he does not, so I guessed at the length.

Then I stitched up the seam along the side and gathered the top into the smallest point I could, knowing that it would be hidden by the washer at the base of the hook.

I put a couple of stitches to hold the top together but not so much as to create extra bulk.

Next I inserted a wooden button in the tip with a small amount of glue to keep it in place.

Step 3: The hook itself

The hook itself is put through the washer and screwed into the wooden button.